International law firm Pinsent Masons has advised long-standing
client, Halfords, the car accessories retailer, on the acquisition
of Nationwide Autocentres ("Nationwide"), the UK's leading
independent car servicing and repair operator, with 224 outlets
across the country, for £73.2 million.
Halfords is building on its leading retail position in car
maintenance to expand into the UK's £9 billion car servicing and
repair market. Following the acquisition, Nationwide will be
re-branded as Halfords Autocentres and intends to roll-out a
further 200 centres, creating over 1,000 new jobs.
The Pinsent Masons team was led by Corporate Partner, Paul
Harkin, assisted by Ed Stead, Zanna Patchett, Alex Burton and Jason
Fisher (Corporate), John Edwards (Property), Eluned Watson
(Environmental), Matt McDonald (Employment) and Liz Morgan and Matt
Davies (Tax).
Commenting on the deal, Paul Harkin said: "We are delighted to
have advised Halfords on the acquisition of Nationwide
Autocentres. The transaction meets the company's acquisition
strategy and will further extend Halfords' presence in the car
maintenance market."
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Halfords Group plc
The Group employs approximately 10,000 staff and sells over 10,000
different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through
to the latest in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes and
outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords' own brands include
Bikehut, for cycles and cycling accessories, including the Apollo
and Carrera brands and in the premium range exclusive UK
distribution rights of Boardman cycles and accessories. In our
outdoor leisure range URBAN Escape represents a premium range for
camping equipment. Operating from 469 stores, including
internationally, 23 stores in Republic of Ireland, six stores in
the Czech Republic and one in Poland, and 33 smaller format,
compact stores Halfords offers a "wefit" service for car parts,
child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems,
and a "werepair" service for cycles.